I know I could write a long post and still not express all my thoughts on the importance of the NOLA blogging community. Saturday night the First Draft Krewe was invited to one of their Geek Dinners which was hosted by the lovely Dangerblond. There had to have been at the very least 50 people there. We had a great time and want to thank everyone for their gracious hospitality.
There is a NOLA blogroll (partial) in our sidebar and I really urge you to check it out. These folks are doing some very important work. Some (one exampple being American Zombie) have had stories months before the Times Picayune.Fix the Pumps blog recently broke a national story on defective pumps in New Orleans. It was done through persistence, hard work and filing FOIA’s. (note to national media and press: you could file FOIA’s too ya know) At least the AP ran with the story when a local blogger handed it to them on a platter. And unfortunately he had even more bad news yesterday. One NOLA blogger recently testified before Congress. You can read Michael’s testimony here. Several spoke the hard truth to power…I mean right TO them. Read Editor B’s speech here. There are many many more examples.
When people talk or write about what blogging can, could or should be…they ought to look at this community of bloggers. It encompasses citizen reporting, spot on analysis, humor, activism, dedication and a love of and for community (blogging and the larger) that I at least have not seen elsewhere. And they are more than a virtual community which was clearly evident Saturday evening.
So please give them some love, support, props, attention and LINKS. What we need to know about New Orleans and America we can learn from their work. Check them out.
It was nice to meet you.. briefly.. at DB’s place. Thank you again for all you guys have done for NOLA.
Scout, thank you, Athenae, and all the First Draft Krewe for all you have done and continue to do for us. It was a pleasure to have ya’ll over. We all just get along like peas and carrots, don’t we? You are very much appreciated.
Scout, the trip to NOLA was an awesome, beautiful thing, I am proud I was a part of it. Your passion for the cause was inspiring.
The locals I met, bloggers or otherwise, were so warm and welcoming. They deserve all the help we can give them, and more.
Hey Scout: Athenae and I were talking at Dangerblond’s party, and we both agreed that you need to move here. You’re already one of us, so you might as well make it official.
When people talk or write about what blogging can, could or should be…they ought to look at this community of bloggers. It encompasses citizen reporting, spot on analysis, humor, activism, dedication and a love of and for community (blogging and the larger) that I at least have not seen elsewhere. And they are more than a virtual community which was clearly evident Saturday evening.
This community seems to be an excellent refutation to those so-called progressives who all-too-routinely question the judgment of other progressives living in red states, and like to hold forth about how these people should give up and run away as there is nothing worth caring about and no good reason to stay.
‘Twas nice meeting you and Athenae at the dinner the other night.
Thanks for all the hard work of the First Draft crew and all of the info help you and First Draft have done for New Orleans. We appreciate it.
Take Ray’s advice and move on down here.
Thanks to you New Orleans bloggers for your had work. It was a pleasure to be with you. And the hospitality and the food were outstanding.
Don’t forget.
No surrender, no retreat.